My Photos and Travels: New York City

Showing posts with label New York City. Show all posts

Friday, December 14, 2012

Christmas Tree Collecting While on the Road

As a traveller, I find that I had taken simple things for granted when I worked in a non-travelling gig. Some of these things include home cooked meals, leftovers, spontaneously going out with friends and holiday decorating. More specifically would be Christmas trees and Christmas decorating. Last year I was on the road steady during the holidays so there was not any time. This year...I am not sure what happened...I have time but have opted to continue the collection process.

On the road during holidays, I collect Christmas trees via photos. This blog is dedicated to some of those trees I have collected.

If you are in New York City during the holidays, it is a magnificent. Blocks of area are decorated.

And, if you are there, you have to see the Rockefeller tree. Lots of human traffic, but magnificent at night.

Another favorites of mine when in NYC is checking out the fountain area in Rockefeller Center. I have caught the beauty in almost every season.

Philadelphia is another place that has captured my heart on the East Coast. The Philadelphia bow to Christmas includes a greatly decorated tree near the LOVE monument by Robert Indiana.

It would not be the holidays with running into some beautiful Christmas Trees in random places. This Christmas Tree was tucked into the lobby of the Philadelphia Amtrak station.

While on the East Coast, I was also in Atlantic City and came across a themed Christmas Tree paying homage to the drama of the Roaring 20's (which I am a huge fan) in the lobby of Resorts Casino.

Another gem on the East Coast that I located lived at Revel for their employees. A beautiful and traditional tree.

While this conversation has been directed to the Trees of Christmas, I would be remiss if I did not share my joy in finding St Nick on the West Coast in Blackhawk, Colorado. I was amazed when I entered the Holiday Bazaar to find this jolly, young man.

While I am not done with the West Coast, I am going to shift to the Mid-West. I had the pleasure of staying at the Argosy Riverside property in Kansas City, Missouri. And to my delight, I walked into a high domed, cathedral style entrance complete with a radiant Christmas Tree. I waited a while trying to get a picture without bystanders. Eventually, I decided they added to the landscape.

It is a memorable pleasure to spend time during the holiday season with both those you have known all of your life and those that you meet and make an instant, new friendship. A new friend took me to the Zona Rosa Shopping Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It is there I met this enjoyable tree with quite the topper.

Also while in the Mid-West, I enjoyed the holiday preparations in Mayetta, Kansas. If you thought Dorothy and Ruby Red slippers were the extent of Kansas you would be wrong. There is a surprise around each corner. The Prairie Band Casino also serves as a host to some Christmas magic.

Heading back to the West Coast, I was able to run into a beautiful tree while visiting my friends and their new angel babies at Saint Rose Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lights in Las Vegas do exist off of the strip.

This may be one of my favorites. I love the lighting bouncing off of the marble floors eliciting an almost ethereal feeling.

Although there is not a picture of a tree, I wanted to share this holiday decor. It is beautiful and triggers memories of spending a wonderful holiday vacation in Park City, Utah with family. No matter where you look at this time of the year, you find reminders of the Holiday season.

Then you head home...where friends and family await you and the glamour of all other Christmas trees falls away in favor of the pleasure of being with those you love and love you in return without judgement.

Shannon's Christmas tree at our Christmas Cookie party a few years ago.

My brother and his family Christmas Tree including the extended canine family unit.

My Grandmother's Christmas tree a few years ago. This one was hand cut from the forest (with the correct permits or whatever is necessary, of course).

And, finally, what would a Christmas Tree blog be without the blogger's version of a Christmas Tree. Although it has been years since I have set my own holiday decor, I love being part of all the other holiday decors, coast to coast...and sometimes decorating my own tree.

From the cherished ornaments to the family dinners, who could possibly deny the beauty of a Christmas holiday spent with friends, family and sometimes, strangers.

The Christmas Tree may be a symbol of a religion for many of us, but I also find it is a symbol of gatherings. Surrounding yourself and others around a Christmas Tree is often enough to spark memories, good and maybe not so good. But, it is always nice to have a solid and known entity help us down our paths, no matter where that path may take us.

Hear No Evil, See No Evil and Speak No Evil. Enjoy your holidays, whether it includes St Nick and his elves or something else. Find it in yourself to give and find kindness in others. From coast to coast and country to country that is all that really matters. If it is a Christmas Tree that elicits that emotion, make it happen.

From my friends and family to yours...Merry Christmas! Enjoy your holiday season and the rest of the year. Don't let the season coming to an end change your love for man once the season truly comes to a close.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

In a New York State of Mind

Now that I am in a New York state of mind, Chapter 2 must happen. I went to New York City in December of 2011 and had lots of things on my to to-do list including the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. I was lucky enough to add a show on Broadway (On a Clear Day starring Harry Connick, Jr - fantastic) and a lot of other areas in New York City.

My good friend and I were working in Atlantic City and one Saturday took a bus ride to and from NYC. I am a west coast girl, but there is a lot of convenience of seeing a lot of rewarding things on the East Coast in a short amount of time.

I went to Rockefeller Center during the day to see the Christmas tree and was incredibly disappointed. It is a MUST SEE at night. Incredible, but be ready for a huge onslaught of people all with the same brilliant idea. Work your way through and get a picture. It is incredible.

Now, presenting...Chapter 2 on this blog of New York City.

Rockefeller Center in December

Home of Broadway Musical: On a Clear Day. Fantastic! But, if you are going to try to get discount tickets in NYC on a Saturday, be prepared for a long wait in Times Square. Sometimes, it needs to become a decision of savings versus value of time. We paid full price and I do not regret that decision at all. The line for discount tickets was hours long.

Christmas time in Rockefeller Center. Do it at night or you will be disappointed.

Christmas time in New York: Rockefeller Center

BB King Club near Time Square is awesome! There are two clubs here. One that is ticketed and one that is free with up and coming artists. I had a great time eating and watching up and coming artists!

When in New York City, the fast pace makes sense. There is so much to see especially in one day. Well worth the hustle. One of my favorite memories was this Saturday spent in December (not too cold this time) in NYC with a great friend. You know she is a good friend when she is cool about being dragged back to the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center twice in one short, but clear day.

New York, City...Where Do I Begin?

When I was a young girl, I dreamt of going to New York City. It finally happened for the first time when I was 22 and I have been lucky enough in the last two years to go several more times. There is some kind of spell New York City holds over people. Crowds, crazy traffic, noise, pollution...and this city that has all of these things I dislike, makes me smile.

I cannot help it! This city with the bloodline pumping and people on the move has a hold on me that I would never ever try to seek refuge from. How does this city continue to cast this magic on visitors and locals? I don't know, but I am going to embrace the magic and go for the ride.

I have lots of pictures I love from New York City. So, I decided this would be a post based on the pictures from my last trip where we were introducing New York City to a friend who had yet to travel to NYC. I am sure more posts will follow with other pictures from previous trips. So here is the first chapter.